The Island in the Sky overlooks canyon country from a high mesa top over a thousand feet above the surrounding terrain. The Island is the easiest district to visit in a short period of time, offering many pullouts with spectacular views of the other districts and other features along the paved scenic drive.

Hiking trails and four-wheel-drive roads access other spectacular views, geological formations, and backcountry areas for day or overnight trips.

Trails are marked with cairns (small rock piles). Please do not disturb existing cairns or build new ones. Signs are located at trailheads and intersections. All trails leading below the Mesa Top are primitive and rough; carry and know how to use a topographic map. No potable water is available along any of the hiking trails.

White Rim Road: The 100-mile White Rim Road loops around and below the Island mesa top and offers expansive views of the surrounding area. Trips usually take two to three days by four-wheel-drive vehicle or three to four days by mountain bike. All vehicles and bikes must remain on roads and must be street legal. ATVs are not permitted.

Under favorable weather conditions, the White Rim Road is considered moderately difficult for high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicles. The steep, exposed sections of the Shafer Trail, Lathrop Canyon Road, Murphy’s Hogback, Hardscrabble Hill, and the Mineral Bottom switchbacks make the White Rim a challenging mountain bike ride, and also require extreme caution for both vehicles and bikes during periods of inclement weather. Low-clearance, all-wheel-drive vehicles are not recommended.

Bicyclists and four-wheel drivers must stay in designated campsites. Permits are required for all overnight trips. The White Rim Road is extremely popular and campsites fill early. Advance reservations are highly recommended. Twenty individual campsites are arranged in ten camping areas. When there is more than one site at any particular location, they are generally positioned to be out of earshot and, whenever possible, sight of each other.

No potable water is available along the White Rim Road. For mountain biking trips, a four-wheel-drive support vehicle to carry water and equipment is highly recommended. Toilets are provided at each campsite.